The Great War Begins: Chapter 14 Section 1

Vocabulary flashcards covering the alliance systems, rivalries, assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand, outbreak of war, and the Schlieffen Plan in World War I.

Triple Alliance

A military alliance formed in 1882 between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.

Central Powers

The wartime alliance that formed when Germany and Austria-Hungary fought on the same side at the start of World War I, later joined by a treaty with the Ottoman Empire.

The Entente

An agreement signed in 1904 between France and Britain, followed by a similar agreement between Britain and Russia, which established the alliance known as the Allies.

The Allies

The coalition formed by France, Britain, and Russia based on signed entente agreements.

Militarism

The glorification of the military, which initiated an arms race in Europe that started with naval expansion by Germany and Britain.

Nationalism

Being proud of one's country; a driving force behind rapid German growth, French resentment over lost lands, and Russian willingness to defend all Slavic peoples.

Alsace and Lorraine

Territories lost by France during the Franco-Prussian War that caused lasting French resentment and a desire for revenge against Germany.

Archduke Francis Ferdinand

The heir to the Austrian Empire and nephew of Emperor Francis Joseph whose visit to Sarajevo led to his assassination.

Francis Joseph

The emperor of Austria who had no children of his own, leaving his nephew Archduke Francis Ferdinand as heir to the throne.

Black Hand

A militant Serbian nationalist secret society that organized the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand in an effort to unite Bosnia with Serbia.

Sophie

The young wife of Archduke Francis Ferdinand who accompanied him to Sarajevo and was fatally shot in the abdomen.

Assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand

The fatal shooting of Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife Sophie in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip after their driver stalled the car in front of a cafe following a route change.

Gavrilo Princip

A member of a group of six assassins organized by the Black Hand who fatally shot Sophie in the abdomen and Archduke Francis Ferdinand in the neck with a pistol at close range.

Ultimatum

A final set of demands sent by Austria to Serbia requiring it to end all anti-Austrian agitation, punish officials involved in the murder plot, and allow Austria to join the investigation.

Blank Check

A promise of unconditional support given by Germany to Austria no matter the cost following the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand.

July 28, 1914

The date Austria declared war on Serbia after Serbia agreed to most, but not all, of the terms in the Austrian ultimatum.

Nicholas II

The ruler of Russia who telegraphed German Kaiser William II to ask him to urge Austria to soften its demands before Russia began to mobilize.

William II

The kaiser of Germany who received a plea from Tsar Nicholas II, rejected it, and proceeded to declare war on Russia and France.

Neutrality

The policy of supporting neither side in a war, which was initially chosen by Italy and pursued by Britain while it remained uncommitted.

Schlieffen Plan

The German military strategy created by von Schlieffen to quickly defeat France in the west before turning all forces against Russia, assuming Russia would take at least six weeks to mobilize and Belgium would offer little resistance.

Hammer and Anvil

The tactical approach of the Schlieffen Plan in which a massive German right wing (the hammer) swung through Belgium and northern France to drive the French army toward a defensive left wing (the anvil) on the German border.

Battle of the Marne

A September 1914 battle where British and French forces stopped the German advance at the Marne River, ruining the timeline for a quick German victory.